Book of “Acts”: Chapter 11, verses 19-30; Part 1 verses 19-24 for today’s Sermon. Part 2 verses 25-30 next week.
1一起進入神的計劃裡 Into God’s plan together
這是2024年第一個禮拜天，今年我們在神面前要有一個心志，就是神怎麼說，我們就怎麼做。摩西如此行，約書亞如此行，大衛如此行，使徒保羅如此行，我們更要如此行。
This is the first Sunday in 2024. This year we shall have one purpose before God, that is, we will do whatever God says. Moses did this, Joshua did this, David did this, the apostle Paul did this, and it’s critical that we do this even more.
2024年我們要一起走進一個地方，就是走進神的時間表，走進神的心意裡，這樣我們才能經歷神的大能，成為有影響力的祝福管道。我再說一次，我們全教會要走在神的計劃裡，我們必須要走進去。
In 2024, we will enter a place together, that is, enter God’s timetable and enter God’s mind, so that we can experience God’s power and become an influential channel of blessing. May I say this again – in a different way: if we as the church intend to walk in God’s plan, it’s critical that each of us step into it.
弟兄姐妹，2024年，如果你還停留在想像，停留在觀望，或是活在過去的回憶裡，那麼，我們進不了神的國。
Brothers and sisters, in 2024, if you are still imagining, hanging around/by-standing, or living in the past, then we will not be able to make an entrance to the Kingdom of God.
2024年，我們要在聖靈的帶領中續航，是的，是憑信心，走進神的計劃裡，這是我們的出路，這是我們的開始，也是我們的終點。
In 2024, we shall continue under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Yes, with faith — we must walk into God’s plan by faith. This is our way out, this is not only our beginning, but also our end point.
2 有信仰動力的教會 A Faith-Driven Church
安提阿教會是一間有信仰動力的教會，他們的「信仰動力」表現在「主無所不在」的見證上，不管在安提阿社區，在他們對外的三次傳福音差派，在他們與耶路撒冷教會的關係，或是在教會中弟兄姐妹的相處，在在都見證：他們所信的主是無所不在、處處與他們同在同行同住的主。
The Antioch Church is a church powered with faith. Their “faith power” is reflected in the testimony of “the omnipresence of the Lord”, whether in the Antioch community, in their three external evangelism missions, or in their relationship with Jerusalem. The relationship in the church, or the interactions between brothers and sisters in the church, is the testimony that the Lord they believe in is omnipresent and walks and lives with them everywhere.
主的靈運行在他們當中，使他們能夠從患難、挫折當中，提升信仰層次，讓人看見主是無所不在、無所不知、無所不能的主。
The Spirit of the Lord enables them to elevate their faith from suffering and setbacks, allowing others to see that the Lord is omnipre-sent, omni-scient, and omni-potent.
安提阿教會有四種積極的力量 The Antioch Church possesses four positive forces
一間有信仰動力的教會應包含四種積極的力量，就是見證力、吸引力、影響力，以及奉獻的力量
A faith-driven church should contain four positive forces, namely power of 1 witness/testament, attraction/appealing, influence, and devotion.
這四種力量也是使教會能夠繼續成長、永續發展的力量。These four forces are power that enables the church to continue to grow and develop sustainably.
• 見證力→是在基督裡不管得時不得時都願意傳福音的力量；Testament → is the power in Christ to be willing to preach the gospel in good and bad times;
• 吸引力→是在基督裡生命被改變後，過著一種全新的生活所展現出來的力量；Attraction /appealing → is the power displayed by living a new life, after your life has been changed in Christ;
• 影響力→是在基督裡長成滿有基督長成的身量，以致在人群中流露出使人羨慕的生命力量；Influence → is to grow into the stature of the fullness of Christ in Christ, so that it can reveal a privileged life force among the crowd;
• 奉獻力→是在基督裡不斷回應上帝的愛所發出的記念與感恩的力量。Devotion → is the power of unwavering remembrance and gratitude in response to God’s love in Christ.
在患難中建造的教會 A church built amid tribulation 安提阿教會是在患難中建造的教會，司提反的事件告訴我們：當教會在面對苦難、犧牲、流血逼迫的時候，如果能夠依靠上帝，不失望、不灰心，那麼，苦難、犧牲、流血，逼迫將成為教會成長的動力。 The Antioch church is a church built in tribulations (third largest city in Rome’s empire known for business and immorality). The incident of Stephen tells us: when the church faces suffering, sacrifice, bloodshed, and persecution, if it can rely on God and not be disappointed or discouraged, then suffering, Sacrifice, bloodshed, and persecution will become the driving force for the growth of the church. 《使徒行傳》這本書一直向我們見證一個真理：耶穌基督是帶領祂的教會與百姓走過患難、犧牲、流血、逼迫的主，祂的同在是教會在患難中繼續往前走的力量。The book “Acts” has always testified to us a truth: Jesus Christ is the Lord who leads His church and people through tribulations, sacrifices, bloodshed, and persecution. His presence is the strength for the church to continue moving forward amid tribulations.
+E 見證力：傳講主耶穌，Testament: Preaching the Lord Jesus, 11: vs. 19-21 「19那些因司提反的事遭患難四散的門徒直走到腓尼基、居比路，並安提阿；他們不向別人講道，只向猶太人講。20但內中有居比路和古利奈人，他們到了安提阿也向希利尼人傳講主耶穌。21主與他們同在，信而歸主的人就很多了。」19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 傳福音、救靈魂的工作是教會事工中的第一優先，一個重視福音事工的教會，絕對是一個有發展潛力的教會。The work of preaching the gospel and spiritual salvation is the #1 priority in church ministry. A church that values gospel ministry is definitely a church that has potential to advance. 值得關注的事是，在安提阿教會，弟兄姐妹相處，或是對教會以外的人，他們只有一個話題，就是只「講耶穌」，只見證耶穌。What worth noting that – in the Antioch church, when brothers and sisters get along, or to people outside the church, they only have one topic, which is to only “talk about Jesus” and only testify about Jesus. 為什麼耶穌是他們的話題與見證，因為他們的言談、思想、生活都是以主為中心。Why is Jesus their topic and testimony? Because their words, thoughts, and lives are all centered on the Lord – The Lord’s hand was with them! And people believed&turned to Jesus as Lord. [faith &repentance is the foundation of a Christian].
21節告訴我們：為什麼「信而歸主的人就多了」？也就是說，福音的工作為什麼有成效？有一個很簡單且必要的因素：就是主的同在與同工。見證主的同在與同工使安提阿教會變成一間世界級的教會。
Verse 21 tells us: Why “many believed and turned to the Lord”? In other words, why is the work of the gospel effective? There is one fundamental element: be with the Lord as “21 The Lord’s hand was with them.” Everyone understands that we’re all accountable to Jesus—he is the judge of the living and the dead. This message was the foundation for all the work that followed. There is no meaningful transformation of personal life without the foundation of Jesus as Lord; and there’d be no transformation of the Antioch church to a world-class church at that time without the foundation of Jesus as Lord.
印地安人流傳一個這樣的故事：印地安勇士找到一枚老鷹的蛋，卻把蛋拿到雞窩裡去孵。這隻鷹後來與雞一齊破殼而出，也一塊兒長大。
There is a story among the Indians: An Indian warrior found an eagle’s egg but took the egg to a chicken coop to hatch it. The baby eagle later hatched out of its shell and grew up together with the chicken. 終其一生，這隻被擺錯地方的老鷹都以為自己是一隻雞，安心過著雞的日子。牠從土裡找種籽小蟲吃，像雞般咯咯直叫，偶爾拍動翅膀，飛飛羽毛，辛苦半天，離地也不過數呎而已。牠想，雞就該是這麼飛的。一天過一天，這隻老鷹垂垂老矣。
Throughout his life, this misplaced eagle thought he was a chicken and lived the life of a chicken. It looks for seeds and small insects from the soil to eat, clucks like a chicken, occasionally flaps its wings and flies its feathers. After a long day of hard work, it is only a few feet above the ground. It thought, this is how chickens should fly. Day by day, this eagle grows old.
忽然有一天，牠看見一隻神氣無比的大鳥遨翔在晴朗的天空，頂著強風，大鳥飛得優雅又莊嚴，金色的羽翼不必太鼓動就飛得好極了。Suddenly one day, it saw a huge and majestic bird flying in the clear sky. Against the strong wind, the big bird flew gracefully and solemnly. Its golden wings did not need to be fluttered too much to fly very well.
「好美的鳥啊！」這隻地上的鷹問同伴：「牠是誰？」「那是一隻鷹,萬鳥之王！」同伴咯咯說道：「不過，別再去想它，你永遠沒法像牠ㄧ樣。」這隻鷹果然沒再想這事。一直到死，牠都以為自己是一隻雞。 ”What a beautiful bird!” The eagle on the ground asked its companion, “Who is it?”
“That’s an eagle – the king of birds!” The companion chuckled: “But don’t think about it anymore, you will never be like it.” As expected, the eagle didn’t think about it anymore. Until its death, it thought it was a chicken.
這真是個悲慘的故事。本來是可以遨翔天空的身體，卻被綁在地上，啄食四散的種籽，追逐土裡的爬蟲。原本被創造為最可敬畏的飛禽之一，卻聽信雞同伴的話說：「唉！你不過是隻雞……算了，再找蟲吃去吧！」What a sad story. The body that could have soared into the sky was instead tied to the ground, pecking at scattered seeds, and chasing crawlers in the soil. He was originally created to be one of the most formidable birds, but he listened to his fellow chicken and said, “Alas! You are just a chicken…forget it, just look for worms to eat!”
我們的處境也許正和故事中的老鷹相同。雖然知道我們是被裝備來做比現在更大的事；知道我們有能力超越目前自設的極限。可是不知道為什麼，我們不願選擇最好的一條路。我們就像一部擁有八個汽缸的車，卻只發動了四缸一樣。Sometimes we may fall into the similar situation as the eagle in the story. Although we know that we are equipped to do greater things and can exceed self-imposed limits, it’s easy for us to stay in the comfort zone, and maintain old habits. It’s like a powerful car with eight cylinders, but only four cylinders are being used.
安提阿教會雖然是一間在苦難中建造起來的教會，但是為了耶穌的緣故，他們不單單向住在安提阿那裡講希臘話的人傳福音，教會也差派同工出去，見證耶穌基督。Although the Antioch church was built from suffering and immorality, for the sake of Jesus, they also preached the gospel to the Greek-speaking people living in Antioch. ~ the third large city in Rome empire next to Rome (power); Alexandria (intellect), Antioch (business & immorality).
安提阿教會在上帝的計劃中，是一隻老鷹。一開始他們也許因為患難以為自己是一隻雞，後來，在主的同在與聖靈的帶領，他們展現鷹的宣教能力，將福音傳到地極，這就是見證力。這就是安提阿教會的生命力
The church in Antioch was an eagle in God’s plan. At first, they may have thought they were chickens because of the suffering and immorality prevalent in Antioch. However, driven by Holy Spirit, they showed the missionary power of eagles (through believe & turn) by preaching the gospel to the other side of land. This is the evidence of witness, a testimony for the Lord’s power energizing the Antioch church.
+E 吸引力：信而歸主的人很多， Attraction: 21a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord, because — The Lord’s hand was with them [Faith & Repentance] – foundation of being a Christian.
11: vs. 22-24 「22這風聲傳到耶路撒冷教會人的耳中，他們就打發巴拿巴出去，走到安提阿為止。23他到了那裡，看見神所賜的恩就歡喜，勸勉眾人，立定心志，恆久靠主。24這巴拿巴原是個好人，被聖靈充滿，大有信心。於是有許多人歸服了主。」
22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. ***[see/live in the atmosphere of Grace — Focus on what the Jesus Lord has done for us; not focus on oneself] – like people fantasized and longed for good weather. 第二十二節有兩個字值得我們好好思想：「風聲」。風聲，通常是沒有經過證實的傳言。
There is one word in verse 22 to which we should pay attention. News “The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.”
*** “News”: newly received or noteworthy information, especially about recent or important events. Sometimes it overlaps with the word “rumor,” which is a currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth. Unconfirmed information could be either encouraging or misleading.
什麼風聲傳到耶路撒冷？就是安提阿教會興旺起來的風聲；安提阿教會有好見證的風聲；安提阿教會有全心全力為主擺上的風聲。這風聲說明，安提阿有一些事讓當時的耶路撒冷教會羨慕，所以他們派了巴拿巴到安提阿，印證「風聲」的內容。 so – What news/rumor reached Jerusalem? The news/rumor was that the church in Antioch was growing and thriving; that the church in Antioch had a good testimony; that the church in Antioch was wholeheartedly serving the Lord. This news/rumor showed that there was something in Antioch that the Jerusalem church admired, therefore they sent Barnabas to Antioch to confirm the content of the news/”rumor”.
今天我們「加略山基督長老教會」有什麼「風聲」被傳出去，傳到我們的社區裡或包括中會在内更遠的地方.「風聲」會影響人們對我們每個人的看法——包括牧師、長老、執事、會員、非會員和會眾。正面的消息，例如由這個會眾選出的執政長老所做出的正確決定，會鼓勵並加強我們的會眾，因為我們正在為主的緣故尋求全部真理；更糟的是，不尊重事實、不遵守“秩序之書”而擅自散播自以為是的謠言，會造成混亂和懷疑，只能誤導人們。好消息會讓我們成為一個有吸引力的教會，而擅自傳播謠言可能會導致自己與社區隔絕，更糟糕的是會給社區的和諧帶來風險，或者导致我們社區（包括教會）的分裂。
**** What “news or rumors” are being spread about our “Calvary Presbyterian Church” today, into our community or beyond, presbytery included?? The news or rumors can affect people’s opinions about us – each of us including the pastor, elders, deacons, members, non-members, and congregations. The positive news, such as the right decisions made by the ruling Elders elected by this very congregation, encourages and strengthens the morale of our church as we’re seeking the whole truth for the sake of the Lord. On the contrary, spreading opinionated rumors or not complying with Book of Order causes confusions and doubts; and only serves to mislead people at its best. Good news will make us an attractive church while spreading rumors at will can cause isolation of oneself from the community, and worse yet poses risk to the harmony of the community or stokes the division of our community (church included). 安提阿教會是一間有吸引力的教會，因為聖經說，有許多人歸服了主。換一句話，安提阿教會是一間有好風聲、有「魅力」的教會，因為有魅力，所以有吸引力。 The church in Antioch was an attractive church because the Bible says that many people believe/turned (surrendered) to the Lord. In other words, the Antioch church is a church with good reputation and “charisma”. ***** [It was important to highlight that the people of Antioch church walk by faith and live to carry out the purposes for which we all have been created.]
為什麼花會吸引人，因為有香味。為什麼花會吸引蜜蜂，因為有花粉。為什麼安提阿教會會吸引人，因為有基督的香味。Why flowers are attractive — because of their scent. Why flowers attract bees — because of pollen. Why the church in Antioch is attractive —- ***** because it has the aroma of Christ in that [they understand that we are all accountable to Jesus—he is the judge of the living and the dead. This message was the foundation for all the work that followed. 7 安提安教會四種吸引力The four pillars of attraction in the Antioch Church 我回來加略山提到過幾次EPAI，從我們的教會事工研習會到主日講道，我一再提EPAI，如果我們要「興起發光」，我們就要在EPAI上好好操練。整個2024年，我的講道就講EPAI這四件事。什麼是EPAI?
As you know, I mentioned EPAI several times after coming back to serve Calvary. From our church ministry seminars to Sunday sermons, EPAI were addressed repeatedly. If we want to “rise and shine,” it’s critical to practice EPAI. Throughout 2024, my sermons will focus on these four perspectives of EPAI. What is EPAI?
這一段經文告訴我們，安提阿教會在EPAI這四方面很吸引人：This passage tells us that the Antioch church was appealing in four aspects of EPAI: （一）他們熱愛屬靈的生命。這是EPAI的E—生命力。雖然司提反殉道了，公然被用石頭活活打死了，教會四散了，但他們沒有怨天尤人，沒有忿忿不平，沒有沮喪灰心，他們沒有讓司提反的血白流，傳福音的負擔好像火在他們裡面燃燒，無論到哪裡，不管得時不得時，就是要把福音傳出去。
(1) love and energize spiritual life. This is the E(ngizing) of EPAI. Although Stephen was martyred, openly stoned to death, and the church was scattered, they did not complain, resent, or become discouraged. They did not let Stephen’s blood be shed in vain. The burden of preaching the gospel was like fire. Energized with fires within them — wherever they go, whenever in good time or bad time, they want to spread the gospel. 就像約翰斯理說的：「當你點燃自己，人們自然就喜歡來靠近你的光和熱」，這是安提阿教會吸引力的第一個原因：充滿屬靈的生命力。As John Wesley said: “When you ignite yourself, people would naturally like to come near your light and heat.” This is the first reason for the attraction of the Antioch church: full of spiritual energy. （二）他們總是與人分享新的希望。這是EPAI的P—團隊事工活力。在面對困難打擊時，他們中間沒有抱怨的聲音，他們總是把每一個人當成上帝所賜的禮物，主內親愛眾聖徒，他們立定心志，在事工的推動上，恆久靠主。
(2) They always share new hopes with others. This is EPAI’s Programming of ministry. When faced with difficulties and adversaries, there was no complaint. They always regarded each person as a gift from God. They loved all the saints in the Lord, and they were determined to rely on the Lord to advance their ministry. （三）他們做好自己該作的然後把自己分享給別人。這是EPAI的A—行政策劃能力。當他們與社區中講希臘話，講希伯來話的猶太人分享信仰，把自己分享出去的時候，教會變成一個開放的教會，上帝就將得救的人天天加給他們。這是他們的屬靈行政事工，他們專心為大家辦事，卻更重視每一個人的需要，在有效的行政上來滿足他們。
(3) They do what they should do and then share goodness with others. This is EPAI’s A-administrative planning ability. When they share their faith and themselves with the Greek-speaking and Hebrew-speaking Jews in the community, the church becomes an open church, and God put hand to people days after days. This is their spiritual administrative ministry, grow the church through effective administration.
（四）他們在消極的環境中，仍然展現活在基督裡的積極作為，接納每一個人，尊重每一個人，這是EPAI的I—包容力。他們從逼迫、從患難中肯定上帝的作為與帶領，肯定上帝仍然掌權，肯定彼此的價值，欣賞來到他們當中的每一個人，擁抱每一個人，同時他們也彼此鼓勵，展現在基督裡不分士農工商、不分東西南北，我們都是一家人心態。
(4) In an adverse environment, they still show positive actions of living in Christ, accepting everyone and respecting everyone. This is EPAI’s I-inclusiveness. They affirmed God’s actions and guidance despite persecution and suffering, affirmed that God is still in control, affirmed each value, appreciated everyone who came among them, embraced everyone, and at the same time encouraged each other, showing that in Christ there is no distinction between educated or uneducated, farmers, workers, and merchants. No matter east, west, north, or south, we are all one family.
8 結語Conclusion 哥林多前書14:40凡事都要規規矩矩的按著次序行。 Corinthians 14:40 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. 為了建造有信仰動力的教會，我們必須：凡事都要規規矩矩的按著次序行。將榮耀歸給我們的父上帝。以這個作為我們柏克萊加略山2024年的共同使命與共同出發。
To build a faith-driven church, it’s imperative and important that we do everything in an orderly manner. May I invite each of you – Let this be our starting point to carry ourselves to fulfill our common mission at Berkeley Calvary in 2024. May the Glory be given to God our Father!
Rev. Szuhsing Mao 卯思興牧師 
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